I’m hesitant to even call this chaffle recipe a recipe because it’s just two ingredients. But you can always add in two more ingredients to make it more bread like so you can enjoy it as a chaffle breakfast sandwich as we do.
What’s a Chaffle?
A chaffle is low carb, grain free and gluten free concoction made famous by the keto craze. It’s made by combining an egg and grated cheese and then cooking in a waffle maker. Enjoy chaffles just like a waffle or use as a carb free bread. Even if you’re not on a Keto diet, this chaffle recipe is a keeper if you’re just trying to cut back carbs – or are gluten free.
I used cheddar cheese in this recipe (also lactose free), but any shredded cheese should work.
Chaffle Recipe Optional Ingredients
Along with the egg and cheese, I add 1/8 tsp of baking powder and one tsp almond flour. But these two additions are optional.
This is enough for two of us.
Below is my very first trial batch to see how they would turn out.
I wasn’t planning on sharing this recipe so while I went to grab my camera, the mixture for the second batch spread beyond the quadrants.
In a full size belgian waffle maker, if you close the lid soon after pouring, the chaffle will stay contained to each quadrant. That assumes you only make one!
We also ordered a mini chaffle maker online to try so I can make individual round chaffles for just me during the week. However, in retrospect, the mini waffle maker is not necessary because our regular waffle maker works perfectly fine. And if I fill the whole thing, like below, that’s a breakfast sandwich each for both me and Hubs.
Chaffle Recipe Breakfast Sandwich
After letting them cool to firm up, load it as you would any sandwich. A slice of cheese, bacon, leftover luncheon meat…
And of course, top it with a runny egg.
I can’t tell you how excited I am to dig in.
Keto Friendly
After giving up things like bread and pasta while on a Keto diet, I actually feel like I’m cheating with this chaffle breakfast sandwich!
But no. I got on the scale this morning and I’m down five pounds in 15 days!
Not bad. But when I was still a spring chicken, I could blink and lose weight :). Recipes like this will help me keep up Keto for at least another two weeks. Then I’ll likely start introducing more healthy carbs back in and transition to sensible eating and portion control.
Despite all the hoopla online, I don’t believe that Keto is a sustainable or healthy way to lose weight for the long haul. However, after 50, I do think Keto is a great way to kickstart weight loss when the pounds don’t want to drop.
Hubs has to eat gluten free and, compared to gluten free bread options on the market, he actually prefers chaffles for his breakfast sandwich. I love it when we don’t have to cook two different meals while I’m dieting!
Chaffles can be made in advance and frozen. Pop them into a toaster oven to reheat.
Chaffle Recipe Nutrition
I’m always curious to see nutrition facts, so I ran the recipe for one chaffle (that’s two pieces). By the time you add meat, egg and more cheese the calories can easily double! When you’re limiting yourself to only 1200 calories a day, that one meal is a pretty big chunk. So I won’t be eating these more than once a week, if that.
By the way, if you’re also dieting and want to count calories and/or track nutrition, check out this free app: My Fitness Pal. It’s so helpful! Writing a food diary is the only way I’m ever able to achieve my weight loss goals.
Chaffles – Not Just for Breakfast
We’ll be doing some experimenting and turning these into taco shells and sweet treats using a sugar substitute like Swerve. Maybe even a pizza chaffle! The possibilities are endless for what you can do make with chaffles.
Pin Chaffle Recipe
Don’t forget to pin this chaffle breakfast sandwich for later.
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Chaffle Recipe
Ingredients
- One large egg
- 1/2 cup grated cheese such as cheddar, mozzarella or combination
- 1 tsp. almond flour optional
- 1/8 tsp baking powder optional
Instructions
- Mix the egg and cheese. Add the two other ingredients if you want a fluffier consistency (they're optional).
- Spray the waffle maker to prevent sticking. Pour egg mixture into a waffle maker and cook according to manufacturer directions. Ours took about 3-4 minutes.
Notes
FAQs about Chaffles
1. Why is it called a chaffle?
Because the primary ingredient is cheese and it’s cooked in a waffle maker, someone coined the phrase ‘chaffle’ to describe this low carb recipe.
2. Are chaffles healthy?
While low in carbs, chaffles are not low in calories. At half a cup of cheese per egg, it’s also laden with saturated fat. As with everything, eating these in moderation is best.
3. What’s the difference between a waffle and chaffle?
A basic chaffle is only two ingredients, cheese and egg, while a waffle is a batter made typically with flour, egg and leaveners to make it rise. Chaffles cook up crunchy like a waffle and are a great substitute for those on a low carb or keto diet.
4. What does a chaffle taste like
Chaffles taste similar to a waffle, but can have a distinct eggy flavour on their own. A bit of almond flour and baking powder can make them fluffier, and less eggy. A flavourful cheddar cheese is also our preference over milder mozzarella. Eat them as a breakfast sandwich or experiment with other ingredients for a variety of meal options!
5. How many calories are in a chaffle?
There are almost 300 calories in one serving of chaffles (one egg plus 1/2 a cup of cheese). So even on a low carb diet, these should be eaten in moderation.
Mmm…this one has my name written all over it!!
You and me both Kim!